Tragedy struck at approximately 8:17 pm on March 15, 2022, when a pickup truck traveling southbound on FM 1788 near State Highway 115 swerved into the northbound lane and hit a passenger van head on. The van, registered to the University of the Southwest (USW), was carrying members of the men’s and women’s golf teams home to Hobbs, NM from a golf tournament in Midland, TX.
Seven of the nine people aboard the USW van were killed in the accident, including six students and their head coach, who was driving the vehicle. The other two were transported to a hospital in Lubbock in critical condition. The driver and passenger in the pickup truck, too, were killed on impact.
As the Texas Department of Public Safety continues its investigation, the university has begun to contact the families of the students and staff who were involved in the crash after confirming it in a Facebook post. 11 teams were participating in the 2-day competition; the second day has since been canceled.
Our hearts go out to the students, families, and staff affected by this terrible tragedy. The Lubbock car accident lawyers at Arnold & Itkin are watching the investigation closely and will continue to follow this story as details emerge.
News coverage on this incident: